Today’s Playbook

Double week was brutal, but we made it through! The road to the playoffs continues. Tough battles, but it feels like we're hitting our stride at just the right time! 

Here’s what’s on my mind in this week’s newsletter:

• Unlock Your Full Potential

• Playbook Community is GROWING! (Giveaway?…)

• Weekly Q+A → Aleksej on YouTube asked…

Unlock Your Full Potential 🏀

Trust in Faith, Overcoming Doubt and ‘The Process’

Last week, we played a Turkish League team, and from the start, I wasn’t feeling my best.

• I got hit by a moving screen in the first quarter.

• My back tightened up, and I didn’t feel like myself.

• I didn’t play at the level I normally do.

The old me would’ve been frustrated and upset the whole night.

But now, I handle things differently. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, I focused on what I could control. I went home and:

I was a great dad. I was a great husband. I was still a great teammate.

Why? Because my joy doesn’t come from a single game. It comes from faith in my Lord and Savior. I know my future is bright no matter what happens at the moment!

Why Faith Matters

If you want something too badly, it can work against you. Let’s say I wanted to score 30 points so much that I got upset when I didn’t—then I’d never reach that goal.

Why? Because I’d be so tense trying to achieve it that every shot would mean too much. When you put that much pressure on yourself, you tighten up, and the game doesn’t flow.

You notice that you play your best when you play free — when you trust your instincts and let the game come to you.

The same applies to Faith. The more you let go and trust, the better things work out.

Faith isn’t about seeing the results first. It’s about believing in them before they happen. The more you trust, the better things work out.

A Mental Exercise: Walking Down the Rabbit Hole of Fear

Sometimes, fear or anxiety can feel overwhelming — like this one game, this one moment can determine everything about your future. If your dream is to play in the NBA, you might think that one bad game could ruin your chances.

But let’s walk down that path and see what really happens:

What if I play badly in this game? → Well, I’m still alive.

What if I don’t impress scouts? → There will be other games.

What if I don’t make it to the NBA? → I’ll still have opportunities to play, grow, and impact people in other ways.

What if basketball isn’t my path? → Then God has something greater planned for me.

Now, let’s take it one step further — no one plays perfect. Not LeBron, not Jordan, not anyone. One game doesn’t define your career, but your mindset and work ethic do. Instead of focusing on what you can’t control, focus on what you can: your work ethic.

Can you control whether every shot goes in? No.

Can you control whether you play the best game of your life every night? No.

But can you control how hard you work, how much effort you put in, and your attitude? ABSOLUTELY!

Taking a bird’s-eye view—also known as an eternal perspective—can give us more freedom. We realize that our worst fears aren’t as devastating as we make them out to be. The pressure we put on ourselves is often unnecessary. When we zoom out, we see that life is much bigger than this one moment.

You Already Have Faith

Maybe you think you don’t have faith. But you do!

Here’s proof:

• Every time you shoot a basketball, there’s no guarantee it will go in.

• But you still shoot it. That’s faith in the unseen.

• You believe in something before you see it happen.

Faith is like a muscle — you have to work on it. This isn’t something that happened to me overnight. This is something I have to work on daily.

• I have good days. I have bad days.

• But every day, I’m strengthening my faith by trusting in the process and staying consistent.

The more you use your faith, the stronger it gets. Just like training in basketball, the work you put in daily is what makes the difference.

The Key to Overcoming Doubt

Doubt will always try to creep in. But here’s a secret: Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.

When negative thoughts show up, reframe them with positive thoughts. For every negative thought, replace it with three positive thoughts. Because remember, where your attention goes, your energy flows. The more you focus on the positive, the more positive will come into your life.

Negative thought: “I’ll never make it to the next level.”

Negative thought: “I don’t feel confident right now.”

Final Thoughts

I want to help you build your faith muscle. Keep showing up. Keep believing. Let go of the need to control every outcome.

When you trust in faith, good things happen. So, be of good cheer—your best days are ahead!

Remember, Faith + Consistency is the formula.

10K Subs on YouTube - THANK YOU!

A HUGE Thank You to this amazing Playbook Community. 10K Subscribers on YouTube and counting! We keep growing stronger!

I’m humbled by the responses, participation, and encouragement I’ve received since really investing myself into providing more insights and content via YouTube and the newsletter and really excited to keep the momentum going.

LOTS of exciting new stuff in the works.

Remember, it’s …..

As a special thank you, I’m going to announce a giveaway for a SIGNED JERSEY. I’ll release more info in the next newsletter so stay tuned and maybe send it to some friends to increase your chances ;)

God Bless! Elijah

Q&A ❓

Aleksej on YouTube asked…

“Great question…. Focus on carbs + lean protein + low fat/fiber — this combo fuels your muscles without slowing digestion.

Pre-Game Meal example (3–4 Hours Before):

• Grilled chicken or turkey breast (lean protein to preserve muscle and support energy)

• White rice or sweet potato (easily digestible carbs for fuel)

• Steamed zucchini or carrots (light fiber to avoid bloating)

• Light fat: 1 slice of avocado or olive oil drizzle (a small amount of fat for sustained energy)

• Water with electrolytes or a light sports drink (hydration + minerals to support performance)

Remember that meal plans should be tailored to each individual's needs.”

God Bless! Faith + Consistency™

🚨Want to see your question answered above? Reply to the newsletter or reach out to me on social. I will group all the questions together and be answering them on the newsletter and vlog in the coming weeks. Cheers!🚨

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If you have comments or questions or suggestions, PLEASE respond to the newsletter about anything. I want to hear from you and I promise, I read every response. My goal is to continue making a great Playbook and building a great community where we all get better together. And you’re a part of that journey!

Let’s Build Confidence + Consistency™ , on and off the court!

Elijah